This rout ensures Rangers will finish the season second in the Scottish Premier League. That has never been a cause for celebration at Ibrox but in these troubled, administration-hit times, Rangers take every form of solace they can get.

Dundee United had to win here to keep alive their slender hopes of catching Motherwell and finishing as the SPL's third-placed team. For Rangers, off-field matters have long since been more significant than fixtures such as these.

Before kick-off the Rangers legend Sandy Jardine addressed supporters over the PA to ask for no "division", "disruption" or "protest" towards those seeking to buy the club. Rangers' most handsome win of the season doused any potential for discord.

Jardine's words were a clear reference to the plans of the American businessman Bill Miller, whose outline for Rangers includes running the business as a new company until administration matters are settled. Such a prospect does not sit well with the Rangers support.

Miller had hoped to assume preferred bidder status on Wednesday but no such confirmation has yet arrived. Brian Kennedy and Paul Murray – fronting the Blue Knights consortium which forms a direct rival to Miller – were in the main stand at Ibrox for United's visit.

It remains possible that Miller will back off from the Rangers deal if he believes public – and therefore customer – perception is weighed too heavily against him. Ally McCoist called on fans not to jump to instant conclusions.

"All I would ask is for whoever gets preferred bidder status to be given a chance," Rangers' manager said. "It would be wrong to be judge and jury on someone before something can happen. We all have to be supportive of someone who may be in a position to take the club forward.

"I know Bill would rather be sitting across the table [rather than in the United States] so I could have a conversation with him, and so do I, but I have met his representatives and had conference calls he has been in on. They have all been absolutely A-positive. He has asked the right questions."

The home contingent had a rampant Rangers to cheer their thoughts for 90 minutes. Steven Whittaker sent the home side in front with a curling left-foot shot before Sone Aluko doubled that lead.

Aluko danced past the United defence before supplying a fierce finish and had Rangers three ahead within 20 minutes courtesy of another individual effort.

Jamie Ness, returning to the starting XI after a season disrupted by injury, claimed the fourth before the substitute Alejandro Bedoya made it 5-0.